Spanky started hid three week switch over to California Natural Chicken and Rice today. We gave him 1/4 cup CN and 3/4 cup Prescription. He always enjoys his food.

I went to get the food at a local specialty dog food bakery. I showed the saleslady his test results. She said she thought there would be several foods that would work for him. I told her that through my internet research I found that only CN would fit his list. It was kind of funny following her all around the store looking at different types of more expensive food. Finally she said, "You're right. California Natural is the only one that fits his list." Thanks for the advice.

I had never heard of the wellness food. I will research it. Spanky has such a varied list of things he is allergic to that it is a challenge getting the right list of ingredients.

Also has a limited ingredient food called Wellness Simple. I don't know it they have one with Vension but they have the duck and rice. I really liked California Natural and tried it for 8 months but I got it into my head that I should put Matilda on a grain free food. Did not have good results, very bad ID cysts, but the one thing I did discover was that her watery eye and goopy eyes cleared up. So, I did the trail for two months, I couldn't deal with it any longer and now, I am in the process of changing over to Wellness Simple. The only difference I see is that it does use Canola Oil, where as, Calf. uses Sunflower oil. Matilda's problem my have been the Lamb version of Calf. Nat., so I'm trying the Wellness duck on our next food trail saga.

Alison with Matilda at my side

not sure that you need 3 weeks for the change over..but 3 weeks is easier on the bulldog for sure with the change.. I would not want an upset tummy along with everything else poor Spanky has to deal with.
I would do the 3 week change

I would seriously consider adding some moist food to his regular food when you make the change..that way he can get some additional fluids into him.
My boston was peeing through the eyes of a needle and not putting out much output. we did a bladder test and it came back that she was not getting enough water and once they happened..her fur was much better too. lack of water is not a good thing in a dog and she really did not like to drink water at all. I tried it all...no salt boulion to her water and such but no go. I ended up using the moist food.. If you can add it to Spanky's food that is good way to get the water into him for sure

that is a good idea for another thread on how to get a bulldog to drink??
some people might have different ideas on it
and not likely everyone is reading this complete thread..do a new one on that issue.

I know that the vet told me that they had a cow that would not drink water either..and they ended up using a non sugar koolaid.
all animals need plenty of water
how much does Spanky drink in a day??
Bella is a huge water drinker where Gus is not..
Bella has alot softer fur then Gus too
the same in people..water is very important.

Spanky is sleeping fine these days. He has not barked in the morning for a few weeks now. I am still giving him an antihistimine that the vet prescribed at night to calm the itching ears, so that may have an effect.

I was wondering about the change over of food. What I read said to feed a half and half for a week. Is that long enough, or should I do 2/3ZD and 1/3CN for a week, then 1/2ZD and 1/2CN for a week and then 1/3ZD and 2/3CN? That would stretch the change over to 3 weeks. I still have quite a bit of the Z/D food and would like to time the switch over so that I can use that up. Once I get a plan established, I can measure my remaining Z/D and decide when to start the switch.

He has been having less frequent, small hard bowel movements on the Z/D, much smaller and harder than when he was eating the Iams Senior. That is the reason I soak his food in warm water for about 15 minutes before feeding. I want to make sure he gets enough water. With that soaking, he gets about 2 cups of water per day, even if he doesn't drink any extra. Do you think that is enough? You know the old saying, "you can lead a bulldog to water...," but with Spanky, the easiest way to get him to drink it is with his food.

you will need to do a slow introduction
also you will find with california natural that he will have a much smaller bowel movement as well..and

on the topic of Spanky.
how is sleeping these days??

I will certainly check it out!

there are tons of dehydrated treats out there now
some are just chicken and some just dehydrated turkey or duck
these are just meat and that is the only ingredient..
California Natural..also has dog biscuits that have just the limited ingredients in them too
it is a great dogfood and think you would be happy with it for sure.
they use the same one for puppies, adults and seniors..
you just change the amount of food the dog requires for their age and so on

I'm trying to avoid those choices as long as possible. I think we will probably try California Natural. They have ingredients on his approved list. Thanks so much for your help!

have you thought about cooking for him or feeding raw?

Cathy
when she first came home

California Naturals is the only food I have found so far, that has the right ingredients for Spanky. I am so glad to have found it! Thanks!

california natural the lamb and rice has only 3 ingredients..
like I said, I had great results with this food..
if you could have seen my boston..you would never believe the difference in her in a just a short amount of time. her fur turned soo much more soft, her ears totally cleared up and she looked fantastic.
another thing is to get Spanky to drink lots of water for skin issues too
I supplemented Sassy with california natural moist..along with the dry as well
it worked out great for her anyhow...
I used to help out boston rescue years ago before I bulldog ...and california natural was the food of choice.
also seen that Lisa..baby moses mom has a bag in some of her pics with Moses..maybe she uses it..I dunno. Moses looks like the california natural bulldog..lol. i seen it on her blog. maybe she will reply here too

According to the ingredients list I found on the web, TOTW has potatoes in all 3 dry foods, but thanks for the suggestion.

they have a bison and venison formula, and it's grain free. They also have their wetlands formula. There are also lamb, rabbit, pheasant, salmon as a few more protien choices.

Cathy
when she first came home

and it looks like the right ingredients! Thanks again!

The testing lab sebt a list of recommended foods for Spanky, but it was five pages long. When I started investigating some of the choices, I found some of them had barley and milk... just what we were trying to avoid. I knew I would get better advice on BDW!

http://www.naturapet.com/
and they have a turkey and rice formula as well for your dog
they also have a selection of moist to add to the dry as well

I had a boston one time that really had big skin alergies and such. this is the food that i used.the california natural. I really loved the dogfood. it cleared up her ears and her skin..

lamb is usually really good for alergies
there is a dogfood called california natural out there
just lamb and rice and sunflower oil
it is a great food and not that expensive
it is good for alergies
I would call your vet and see what they think of lamb